Microbiology Manager in Bedford

Manpower is currently looking for a Microbiology Manager to work with our global FMCG client, renowned for brands such as Magnum, Carte d'Or, Cornetto, and Walls, and become an integral part of their fast-paced FMCG environment. The position is based at our client's Research & Development facility, at Colworth Science Park, in Sharnbrook, Bedfordshire (MK44), accessible by car. It also houses our client's global centre of excellence in safety and sustainability sciences. This is a full-time temporary role, Maternity Cover for 12 months requiring 36.25 hours per week, Monday to Friday. Compensation for this role is competitive, paying up to £52,000 per annum, pro rata, depending upon experience. The role currently offers a mix of remote and onsite working, subject to adjustment based on business requirements.

ABOUT THE COMPANY:

The Magnum Ice Cream Company (TMICC) is the largest global Ice Cream Company in the world, with over 100 years of experience delivering a diverse range of indulgent, yet responsible, craft food experiences and treats delighting consumers. Committed to innovation, quality, and sustainability we have 35 brands, including 3 one billion Euro brands (Magnum, Wall's, Ben & Jerry's), loved in 76 countries, generating annual revenue of over $8 billion. With 19,000 experts in ice cream globally, all brands are driven to transform moments into memories through indulgent yet responsibly made and marketed products. We have a well-developed strategy to deliver growth and value creation which is clear on where to play and how to win. We turn the ordinary into the extraordinary by designing unique and innovative Ice Cream experiences that make life taste better, creating joyful experiences.

The role is based in Colworth Science Park (Sharnbrook, Bedfordshire, UK), a site that has a strong track record of building and contributing to a number of brands including Lipton, Magnum, Cornetto, Ponds and Dove. It is the Global RD&I (Research, Design & Innovation) Centre for TMICC.

OUR TEAM:

Ensuring that The Magnum Ice Cream Company (TMICC) products are safe to consume is of paramount importance for the business. The Global Scientific Affairs function, which is part of RD&I, brings together Food Safety, Regulatory Affairs and Nutrition expertise to ensure that TMICC products are safe-by-design and compliant with relevant regulations & nutrition requirements. As well as protecting the business, the Scientific Affairs function is also key to unlocking innovations to enable business growth. One of such functions is the Global RD&I Microbiology team. Global RD&I Microbiology is an agile team of enthusiastic world-class scientists who deliver business relevant microbiological solutions underpinning brand innovation programmes, based on scientific and technological capabilities across RD&I and Supply Chain (SC). The strength of the team lies in the integration of microbiological and processing knowledge for RD&I to develop safe/stable formulation & process designs to deliver winning products.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Act as microbiology first point of contact in the provision of microbiological expertise for R&D product developers, quality and supply chain support.
• Ensure end-to-end quality in microbiology science-based support, including (statistical) data analysis and visualization, interpretation & presentation, and reporting to relevant stakeholders.
• Lead microbiological risk assessments to establish the basis for microbiological safety & stability of new product and process designs.
• Identify and adapt new methodologies/process/procedures enabling continuous future fit microbiological data science.
• Stay up to date on novel insights and solutions in the area of food preservation systems (e.g. hurdle technology, natural antimicrobials, etc.).
• Line management and mentoring of microbiology team members.
• Provide technical expertise in the design of microbiological experiments for innovation support and ensure robustness of the data.
• Lead technical input for relevant good manufacturing documents and training materials to ensure maintenance of product & process design knowledge.

ALL ABOUT YOU:

• Ideally MSc or higher in relevant subject (e.g. Food Microbiology, Food Safety, Food Science & Technology - with focus on microbiology).
• Proven experience (>3 years) in applied/industry microbiology roles in the food sector, including leading projects and managing teams.
• Good influencing and communication skills (fluent English written and verbal); ability to convince and defend own agenda in front of internal and external stakeholders (e.g. R&D, Supply Chain, Quality, 3rd parties, co-packers).
• Ability to use technical judgment to lead team activities and program direction.
• Team player with flexible "we can" attitude, yet, ability to work agile and independently.